A NUMBER of major projects to bring Bolton's transport network into the 21st Century are set to be scrapped after funding worth £18 million was pulled overnight.

Town hall leaders have revealed that the Government's decision to shelve the extension to the Metrolink tram system means money earmarked for the borough will disappear.

Projects thrown into jeopardy include the building of a new bus and rail interchange and a redevelopment which would have seen Churchgate transformed into a arts and festival quarter.

It could also mean the end of plans to extend the network of bus lanes in areas such as Great Lever, Kearsley, Tonge Moor and Chorley Old Road.

And new bus shelter information boards, improved signs and the installation of CCTV cameras may also be abandoned.

Town hall bosses expected to bankroll the schemes with Transport Infrastructure Fund (TIF) money aimed at compensating the council for not being included in the defunct plans to expand the Metrolink.

Cllr David Wilkinson, executive member for environment, said: "We will have major troubles when this money stops.

"There is a huge list of vital projects earmarked for TIF Money which we will have to reconsider.

"We will have to look for alternative funding and thankfully we have TIF funding in the bank to fund projects already given the go-ahead.'

Proposals to extend the Metrolink to Ashton, Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester Airport were dropped after the £500 million cost soared.

The announcement came in the fourth year of the 10 year funding programme.

Town hall bosses say the loss of TIF money will not effect the renovation work at Trinity Street train station.

Cllr Wilkinson said work to erect a canopy and move the station's taxi ranks and bus station had been accounted for in last year's TIF budget.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby said the loss of funding was a major blow to Bolton.

He said: "It is important that the plan for a new rail and bus interchange does not fall by the wayside and that Bolton gets the first class public transport it deserves."

Meanwhile, council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson is to write to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority on behalf of the three political groups to express united support for the reinstatement of the Metrolink expansion.

The council has also lent its backing to the Get Metrolink Back on Track campaign.